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Seattle's city workers have voted to take 10 unpaid days off next year, Mayor Greg Nickels office announced Friday afternoon.

A steep drop in tax revenue has increased the city's operating budget shortfall through 2010 to $72.5 million. In response, members of 14 Coalition of City Unions opted to OK the 10-day furlough program. Non-union workers will also take 10 furlough days next year.

"I want to thank the Coalition of City Unions and its members for their cooperation and willingness to work with us over the past several months," Nickels said.

Under the proposal, about 6,350 workers would take 10 furlough days spread across the year. Uniformed police and fire fighters wouldn't be a part of the proposal.

The plan would save about $7.5 million from the city's operating budget and a total of up to $20 million from the entire city budget, the city estimates.

Like other governments, Seattle's revenue from sales tax and business and occupation tax revenues has dropped.